Dance
Dance is available as both an academic class and a part of the athletic department. Courses and performance opportunities abound for beginners and serious experienced dancers. In the academic area, we offer "Choreography" (at several levels), "The World of Dance," and "The Independent Dancer." Through the athletic department, students may participate as members of Varsity I, Varsity II, and Experimental Dance. All dance students have the opportunity to participate in dance concerts that occur at the end of each term.
Dance During the Academic Day
"Introduction to Dance" is the class during the academic day in which we introduce the beginner to the full picture of dance, from the perspectives of physicality, creativity, and technique. "The World of Dance" looks at the development of dance within the context of human history. We do work in the classroom and the dance studio and frequently end up creating a work for the end-of-term show. "Choreography" is a study of the making of dances, from the uncovering of physical raw material to the structuring of an overall piece. These classes always create works for the end-of-term concerts. Finally, "The Independent Dancer" is open only to those serious students of dance (usually seniors) who have already demonstrated the dedication and discipline to work on original work at the highest levels, both technically and creatively. You will find detailed descriptions of these dance courses in the arts curriculum section of this Web site.
Dance in the Afternoon (Athletics)
Varsity I, Varsity II and Experimental are available most terms. These offerings are geared toward the more serious students of dance and performance, with opportunities for novice dancers and actors at the Experimental level, and offer the best opportunity for the serious student of dance to perform and improve technically. Students work toward performances at the end of each term while studying technique within the ballet, modern, and post-modern forms, with a focus on anatomical awareness, healthy alignment, and weight-bearing.
The success of Lawrence Academy's dance program may be measured not only by its appeal to a wide variety and large number of students over the years, but by the fact that it has been honored on three occasions with invitations to perform at the internationally renowned Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the world's largest performing arts festival. LA dance has brought original choreography to the Edinburgh Fringe in 2003, 2006, and 2009. They are invited back again in 2013. Our dancers have also been invited to perform outside of LA on numerous occasions, including recently at the Dance Complex in Cambridge, The Groton School, and Phillips Academy.
Patrick Burns, Independent Immersion Project student in dance
Check out Lawrence Academy Dance at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2009
